We are two retired women and are looking for a group trip to see castles. We love history. Big fans of Downton Abbey and Victoria. Actually many movie castles! Any suggestions for a tour company and must see places?
We have two weeks and maybe fall of 2021 for timeline.
thank you.

There are castles available from pre-roman times (two of three of which are pretty impressive) but I'm assuming massive earth works are not your thing.

Certainly the big ones like Windsor and Dover are worth a visit but you might like to look at the North East by train and bus/taxi. Certainly a stop in York for a early dose of a Medievel city is a sensible start. Then the train again to Durham and the castle, cathedral city centre.

https://englandsnortheast.co.uk/2018...-east-england/
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/...op-10-castles/

These look fantastic. I will definitely check into them. Thank you!!

Wales is also well provided with castles (built by the English...). If you base in Conwy (easy to reach by train) you can visit Beaumaris and Caernarfon as well as Conwy castle. Wales also has a number of narrow gauge and steam railways if those interest you.

For my visit to Conwy see: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...stle-and-more/

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...he-great-orme/

The South-eaast is a great place for castles - from Dover to Arundel with Sissinghurst, Leeds, Scotney, Bodiam, Hever, Pevensey, and Herstmonceux. Probably some others I've missed too.

Many of them have lovely gardens too.

Plus there are other great places to visit like Chartwell, Canterbury, Brighton, Battle and Rye. And beaches.

There hundreds of castles in England (probably thousands) from right in central London (the Tower of London is #1 on most visitors lists) to just outside London (Windsor) and from the far corners of SE England/SW England to the very tippy top in Northumberland. That doesn't take into account the TONS of castles in Wales and Scotland (There is even a region of Scotland called the 'Castle Trail')

So it would be pretty hard to help you work out an itinerary or find a tour company that would hit the ones you want to see. I'd maybe start by getting a guidebook or two There are MANY books just covering castles - look in the bargain shelves at Barnes & Noble where they usually have lots of picture books re the UK/castles.

Just say in Kent/East Sussex/south coast there are more castles/castle gardens/stately homes that one could visit in a month hitting 2 every day.

. . . So get yourselves a book or two and decide which one are your 'musts' and we can help you plan a great trip.

As other state, there are lots of castles in the UK. Downton (highclere castle) was fun, the grounds/outside amazing - difficult to get to on your own and must reserve ticket so tour probably best. I was impressed by Dover. Check out a membership to English Heritage https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/. Even on some day trips/tours - where you have the option to visit abbey/castle (but have to pay) you could use a membership.